Simulated-log fireplace heater



Sept. 11, 1956 H. NIELSEN SIMULATED-LOG FIREPLACEHEATER Filed Jan. 13, 1953 INVENTOR.

Unite This invention relates to fireplace devices and particularly to an assembly of simulated logs and a heat source associated therewith intended to imitate the appearance of a group of burning wood logs.

It has heretofore been known to assemble imitation logs in a pile resembling a Wood log fire and to associate heat generating means such as a gas burner with these simulated logs. However, because of the intense heat generated by the heat generating means in order to provide adequate heating of a room, and because of the gas flame temperature which may be of the order of 1800 to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, it has been the usual practice to construct the imitation logs of a refractory material such as vitrified clay.

In constructing simulated logs with refractory materials, such as vitrified clay, it is the usual practice to cast the material in the desired log shape and then subject the cast logs to high temperatures, such as in a kiln, for a relatively long period of time. Simulated or artificial logs made in this manner have several disadvantages. The logs are very heavy, weighing from 60 to 100 pounds for an assembly of normal size and, therefore, they are difficult to handle and expensive to ship. Furthermore, they are relatively brittle and thus develop cracks easily requiring special shipping provisions, i. e. special containers and shock absorbing materials. in most cases, it is necessary to ship the assembly in a knocked down state in order to provide adequate cushioning for the various clay components. In addition, the logs may crack after exposure to heat of the gas flame due to unequal expansion of the various parts, or due to sudden thermal shocks, such as being subjected to accidental spilling of water or other liquid.

In accordance with my invention, I construct the simulated or artificial logs in such a manner that the above mentioned difficulties are overcome. In the preferred form of my invention, a gas burner or other heat generating means such as an electrical heat element, in surrounded by artificial logs constructed by coating a heat resisting mesh form, such as steel wire lath form, with a layer of heat resisting composition which is relatively light in weight, is highly resistent to mechanical and thermal shocks and is not subject to disintegration upon exposure to the temperatures adjacent the heat generating means.

In accordance with a further feature of my invention, color producing materials are embedded in the coating 011 the form in such a position that it is subjected to relatively intense heat and, therefore, produces colored flames.

The invention may be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawing and to the following detailed description of the invention which sets forth the manner in which I now prefer to carry out the invention:

Figure l is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the preferred embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation view of the embodimentshown' in Fig. l; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of atates Patent 2 portion of one of the simulated logs shown in the preceding figures.

Referring to Fig. 1, the preferred fireplace device of my invention comprises a plurality of simulated or artificial logs 1, 2, 3, and 4. These logs 1-4, are grouped around a heat generating means in the form of a gas burner 5. The surfaces of the logs are spaced from parts of the burner 5 a distance suflicient to permit adequate air to be supplied to the gas issuing from the apertures 6 in the burner 5, a free vertical distance above the ports of 1 /4 inches having been found to be adequate with a burner having an input of 25,000 b. t. u. The upper edge '7 of the log 4 extends above the stand or frame 8 on which the logs 1-4 are mounted, a distance greater than the height of the upper surface containing the apertures 6 above the stand 8 so that the burner 5 is at least partially obscured when the fireplace device is viewed from the front.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, logs 3 and 4 may be secured to the upper surface of the plate 9, forming part of the stand 8, and may be secured thereto by screws 10 and 11 extending through the plate 9 and through the walls of the logs 3 and 4, nuts (not shown) being threaded on the ends of the screws 10 and 11 within the walls of the logs 3 and t. The logs l and 2 may be secured to the logs 3 and 4 in any well-known manner, and the burner 5 may be secured to the plate 9 by brackets 12 and 13 suitably secured to the plate 9 and the burner 5, as by welding or screws. The stand 8 is also provided with legs 14- which space the plate 9 from a supporting surface providing room for the air intake portion 15 of the burner S and spacing the heated portion of the device from the supporting surface.

The logs 1-4 are constructed by first forming a heat resistant mesh such as steel wire lath 16 into a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape approximating the final form of the individual logs. The so formed mesh is then provided with a coating of a heat resisting composition which is air dried and which may be shaped and colored to imitate the exterior surface of wood logs such as oak, birch, cherry etc. The coating is applied by a trowel in a manner similar to the manner in which plaster is applied to walls, ceilings etc. Preferably, prior to application of the coating 17, the mesh forms are secured to the plate 9, and the forms for the logs 1 and 2 are secured to the forms of the logs 3 and 4 in any conventional manner. Of course, the forms may be assembled and coated prior to being mounted on plate 9 if desired.

One composition which I have found to be suitable for coating 17 on the mesh forms is prepared by mixing the following ingredients in proportions, by volume as follows:

1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite (magnesium oxide) .9 to 1.1 parts asbestosin powdered, shredded or similar forms .45 to .55 parts powdered silex 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite in granular or flake form Coloring in dry powdered form such as red oxide, lamp black, etc. in an amount sufiicient to obtain the desired color.

sistency is too thick, the mortar is dilficult to work, and if it is too thin, the mortar runs through the mesh anddoes not remain in the shape imparted w it, the exact" consistency being readily determinable by an ordinary workman.

Different portions of the coating may have different colors to obtain various effects, i. e. knots, exposed wood, burned wood, bark, etc. The mortar may, therefore, be differently colored before application on the various portions of the mesh form, or it may be colored except where exposed to flame by dusting the coating before it is dry with powders of the colors desired.

The purpose of using the mesh form is to provide a strong support and firm anchor for the coating, portions of the coating extending through the holes in the mesh. It will be apparent that other heat resistant forms with different means for holding the coating, i. e. metal sheets with protuberances thereon, may also be employed.

The coating of a completed log has a thickness of approximately /2 inch on an average, the coating usually being thicker in portions where it is desired to obtain special configurations, such as knots. The composition should be applied within 5 hours after mixing with the magnesium chloride because after this period of time it has set sufficiently to prevent working of the composition. After the coating is applied, it is permitted to dry for approximately 24 hours at a temperature not less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and preferably at a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. At the end of this time, the coating is hard having the appearance of wood and a hardness similar to that of stone.

After the coating has completely hardened, it should be further treated on the surface to prevent the chemicals in the composition from creating deposits on the surface of the coating, and thus causing discoloration and other undesirable effects. This treatment consists of applying to the exposed surface of the coating a dry, dull varnish of the type supplied under this designation by the Benjamin Moore Paint Company, New York, New York. Preferably the varnish is thinned with pure turpentine to about one half of its consistency as supplied, and this thinned varnish may be applied by spraying, brushing or in any other well known manner. The varnish is absorbed by the coating and prevents the undesirable effects aforesaid.

If desired, a thin coating of high temperature cement, such as is used in furnaces, may be applied to the surfaces of coating 17 near the burner 5 to give greater heat resistance.

When a gas burner is employed as the heat generating means, or when similar heat generating means having an open flame is employed, colored flames above the burner 5 may be obtained by embedding in the coating above the burner 5, such as the area designated by the numeral 18, clumps of rock Wool which previously have been prepared by immersing them in a solution of one quart of a water solution of magnesium chloride having a specific gravity between 1.15 and 1.18 to which has been added one pound of copper sulphate, if a green color is desired, one pound of strontuim nitrate, if a red color is desired, or one pound of precipitated sulphur, if a mauve color is desiredonly one of these materials being used in a solution. The solution prepared in this manner is sufficient for treating approximately 4 pounds of rock wool, which after immersion in the solution is air dried before being embedded in the coating. The treated rock wool is broken up into clumps approximately the size of a walnut and the ends of the clumps are embedded in the coating after the coating has been applied to the mesh but before it has set. Small portions of the clumps are left exposed so that when these clumps are subjected to the flame from the gas burner, the chemicals in the rock wool burn and cause the flame to become pleasingly colored for a relatively long time. The magnesium chloride used for preparing the color and for treating the rock wool retards the consumption of the coloring matter and coats the rock wool so that it does not rapidly disintegrate.

A unit of the type shown in Fig. 1, and approximately 24 inches wide, 14 inches high and 12 inches deep, prepared in accordance with the invention, weighs less than 30 pounds and will withstand the temperatures produced by the flame from the gas burner without deterioration. Furthermore, it is rugged and will withstand rough treatment and severe handling and may be shipped in an ordinary cardboard carton in assembled form without the use of special cushioning material. Also, the device presents a pleasing natural appearance, both with the burner in operation and when the flame is extinguished. When the burner is in operation, the flame rising from the burner adjacent the logs gives the appearance of a natural wood fire in which the logs are themselves consumed. The surfaces of the logs which are close to the flames glow and resemble the embers of a burning log. The log is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and may be manufactured in a relatively short time because no lengthy drying and baking time is required.

While I have described my invention in connection with the preferred form thereof, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departfrom the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A fireplace device comprising a supporting frame, means for generating heat mounted on said frame, at least one simulated log mounted on said frame adjacent said means, said log being formed from a perforated metal form coated at least on the portion thereof in close proximity to said means with an air-hardened layer of a composition capable of withstanding the heat from said means without disintegration, said composition comprising magnesite, fillers and a binder of magnesium chloride.

2. A fireplace device comprising a supporting frame, flame generating means mounted on said frame, at least one simulated log mounted on said frame adjacent said means with a portion thereof arranged to be exposed to flame generated by said means, said log being formed from a wire form coated on at least said portion with an air-hardened layer of a composition which is unaffected by said flames and which comprises magnesite, fillers and a binder of magnesium chloride.

3. A fireplace device comprising a supporting frame, flame generating means mounted on said frame, a plurality of simulated logs mounted on said frame adjacent said means, each said log being formed from wire mesh coated with a layer of a hardened composition comprising magnesite, asbestos, silex, vermiculite and magnesium chloride.

4. A fireplace device comprising a supporting frame, a gas burner mounted on said frame, a plurality of simulated logs mounted on said frame adjacent said burner, each said log being formed from wire mesh coated with a layer of a hardened composition comprising magnesite, asbestos, silex, vermiculite and magnesium chloride.

5. A gas-burning fireplace device comprising a stand, a gas :burner mounted on said stand, and a plurality of simulated logs mounted on said stand, said logs being disposed on opposite sides of said burner and over said burner, said logs over said burner extending from over the ends of said burner to positions overlying the portions of said burner spaced inwardly from the ends thereof and said logs on opposite sides of said burner being in close proximity to said portions of said burner and extending above said stand a distance greater than the height of said portions above said stand, whereby said burner is at least partially obscured, said logs being formed by metal lathe having a melting temperature above the (temperature of the flame produced by said burner and shaped to substantially the desired log shape, said shaped metal lathe being secured to said stand and having thereon a relatively thin coating of, by volume, 1.8 to 2.2 parts powdered magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts powdered asbestos, .4 to .6 part powdered silex, 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite and coloring material bonded together with magnesium chloride, and said coating being hard and dry and colored and shaped to simulate partially burned logs and having thereon a finish coating of dry, dull varnish.

6. A gas-burning fireplace device comprising a stand, a gas burner mounted on said stand, and a plurality of simulated logs mounted on said stand, said logs being disposed on opposite sides of said burner and being in close proximity to said burner, said logs being formed by metal mesh shaped to substantially the desired log shape, said shaped mesh being secured to said stand and having thereon a relatively thin coating of, by volume, 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part silex and 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite bonded together with magnesium chloride, and said coating being hard and dry and colored and shaped to simulate partially burned logs.

7. A fireplace device comprising a stand, a heating unit mounted on said stand, and a plurality of simulated logs mounted on said stand, said logs being disposed on opposite sides of said unit and being in close proximity to said unit, said logs being formed :by metal mesh shaped to substantially the desired log shape, said shaped mesh being secured to said stand and having thereon a relatively thin coating of magnesite, asbestos, silex and vermiculite bonded together with magnesium chloride, and said coating being hard and dry and colored and shaped to simulate logs.

8. A fireplace device comprising a heating unit and a plurality of simulated logs, said logs being disposed on opposite sides of said unit and being in close proximity of said unit, said logs comprising metal forms shaped to substantially the desired log shape, said shaped metal forms having thereon a relatively thin coating of, by volume, 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part silex and 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite bonded together with magnesium chloride, and said coating being hard and dry and colored and shaped to simulate logs.

9. A gas-burning fireplace device comprising a heating unit and a plurality of simulated logs, said logs being disposed on opposite sides of said unit and said logs comprising forms of material having a high melting temperature and tensile strength and which are self-sustaining, said forms having thereon a relatively thin coating of, by volume, 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part silex and 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite bonded together with magnesium chloride.

10. A simulated log for use with high temperature heat sources comprising a heat-resistant form having a predetermined shape and having a coating thereon comprising by volume 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part silex and 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite bonded together by magnesium chloride, said coating being hard and dry and being shaped and colored to simulate a wood log.

11. A simulated log for use with high temperature heat sources comprising a metal mesh formed to a predetermined shape and having a coating thereon compris ing by volume 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part silex and 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite bonded together by magnesium chloride, said coating being hard and dry and being shaped and colored to simulate a wood log.

12. A simulated log for use with high temperature heat sources comprising a wire mesh formed to a predetermined shape and having a coating thereon com- 6 prising by volume 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part silex, 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite and coloring material bonded together by mag- ,nesium chloride, said coating being hard and dry and being shaped to simulate a wood log and portions of :said coating extending through said mesh.

13. A fireplace device comprising means for generating a flame and a simulated log mounted adjacent said means with a portion thereof in close proximity to said means, said log comprising a heat resisting form coated with a layer of a heat-resistant composition and comprising rock wool coated with magnesium chloride and a flame coloring chemical, the end portions of said rock Wool being embedded in said portion of said layer.

14. A fireplace device comprising a supporting frame, a gas burner mounted on said frame and a simulated log mounted adjacent said burner with a portion thereof in close proximity to said burner, said log comprising a metal form having a layer of a heat resisting composition thereon and comprising clumps of rock wool coated with magnesium chloride and a flame coloring chemical, the end portions of said clumps being embedded in said portion of said layer.

15. The method of making simulated logs for use with high temperature heat sources comprising preparing a composition comprising by volume 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part silex and 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite mixed together with sufiicient Water solution of magnesium chloride having a specific gravity between 1.15 and 1.18 to form a mortar, applying the mortar to a heat-resisting mesh of the desired shape to form a coating thereon, permitting the coating to dry and harden and applying a layer of varnish to the exterior surface of the coating.

16. The method of making simulated logs for use with high temperature heat sources comprising preparing a composition comprising by volume 1.8 to 2.2 parts magnesite, .9 to 1.1 parts asbestos, .4 to .6 part liquid silex and 3.5 to 4.5 parts vermiculite mixed together with sufficient water solution of magnesium chloride having a specific gravity between 1.15 and 1.18 to form a mortar, applying the mortar to a heat-resisting mesh of the desired shape to form a coating thereon and permitting the coating to dry and harden.

17. The method of making simulated logs for use with high temperature heat sources comprising preparing a composition comprising approximately by volume 2 parts magnesite, 1 part asbestos, /2 part silex and 4 parts vermiculite mixed together with sufiicient water solution of magnesium chloride having a specific gravity between 1.15 and 1.18 to form a mortar, applying the mortar to a form of the desired shape to form a coating thereon and permitting the coating to dry and harden.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 585,815 Dressler July 6, 1897 808,513 Cox Dec. 26, 1905 1,693,015 Babor et al Nov. 27, 1928 2,296,392 Marchant Sept. 22, 1942 2,302,796 Oyster Nov. 24, 1942 2,446,222 Fletcher et a1. Aug. 3, 1948 2,564,497 Navias Aug. 14, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 27,298 Great Britain of 1911 

